Physical Anthropology of Chimpanzees

Physical Anthropology of Chimpanzees

Introduction

Chimpanzees are primates that belong to the anthropoid great ape family Pongidae, which includes gibbons, gorillas, and orangutans. Chimpanzees are in the suborder Anthropoidea, the order of Primates, and one of only two members of the genus Pan. As Pan Troglodytes, Chimpanzees were until recently considered to be the sole members of the genus Pan. However, Bonobos, which have been variously called pygmy, dwarf, or gracile chimpanzees, are now classified as the second species in the genus, Pan paniscus (Wrangham, 2008). Bonobos (pygmy chimpanzees) are found only on the south side of the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Chimpanzees are not known to swim, so rivers have acted as major barriers to their movements. Chimpanzees are found in equatorial central Africa, from Senegal to western Tanzania in tropical rain forests and savannas. There are three subspecies of the common chimpanzee (or simply chimpanzee).

The subspecies Pan troglodytes verus can be found from Gambia to the Niger River. The Pan troglodytes subspecies live in the forest regions in central Africa. The subspecies Pan troglodytes schweinfurthi is found mainly in western Uganda and Tanzania. Like the other great apes, chimpanzees do not have a tail (Goodall, 2006). They are strong animals with powerful arms and legs, and an arm span twice their height. They can easily grasp objects with their hands or with their feet. They range between 3.25 feet (one meter) to 5.5 feet (1.7 meters) in height. Males usually weigh 110 pounds (50 kilograms) on average, while females weigh 90 pounds (41 kilograms) on average. However, in captivity some males have attained weights of 200 pounds and females weights of 175 pounds. Chimpanzees have large ears, and arms that are longer than their legs. They can walk upright on their feet for short distances, but they usually walk on all fours (Boesch, 2007). With their arms extended, their front limbs rest on the knuckles of their hands. While some chimpanzees are covered with long black hair, they are usually bald from the forehead to their crown. Some have dark faces and some have tan faces.

Diet and Community Groups

Chimpanzees eat insects, leaves, fruit, nuts, bird's eggs, fish, and occasionally small animals such as redtailed monkeys, small bush pigs, or small antelopes. They may engage at times in organized hunts. During the day, chimpanzees move about while foraging in small bands or parties of six to a dozen members (Wrangham, 2008). The bands, part of a community of 25-100 members, may be all male, all mothers with infants, or mixed bands of males and females. Individuals come and go from the community. An alpha male usually rules the community, although groups of all females have been seen. Females tend to move about as individuals and eventually migrate to a separate chimpanzee community, while males usually stay in their birth community. Sexual maturity occurs around 10 or 11 years of age, with physical maturation by age 14. Mating takes place throughout the year, with a ...